Greater New Orleans

Kenner church brings holiday cheer to many

Spreading cheer to those in need, the Community Missionary Baptist Church recently held its holiday outreach event. With the goal of providing a traditional holiday meal, toys and other gifts, organizers invited families to the church at 316 Filmore St. in Kenner for the annual holiday giveaway.

This is the sixth year the church has hosted the event. To help multiply efforts, St. Charles Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital and Toys for Tots also contributed.

Complete Christmas dinners, along with more than 140 baskets and coats, were handed out to participants. Families throughout the area lined up for food boxes filled with turkeys and all of the fixings. Children received toys. Winter coats, clothing and toiletries were also given.

Church member Yolanda Moore coordinated the event. “This year I was fortunate enough to be coordinator for such a worthy cause,” Moore said. “As you can see by the numbers, there is major participation.

“Because there are a lot of people less fortunate, I’m truly blessed to be able to give back.”

Church members assembled baskets and collected donations. Many volunteers signed up to ensure the success of the giveaway.

“It’s cold out here, and the volunteers sat out in inclement weather to make sure people had what they need,” Moore said. “It’s very important to give back to the community. In this economy, even if they had last year, they may not have this year.”

Denise Tanner, wife of the church’s pastor, the Rev. Robert Tanner Jr., was pleased with the outcome.

“This is very good and very organized — food boxes, toys, clothes and lots of volunteers within the church. I think it’s good.” Tanner said. “It’s a great impact. This time of the year, people are short on money. Helping families is essential, especially with the cold weather coming up; people need coats.”

Church member Joseph Taylor helped organize the toy distribution.

“We just want to be a help to the community,” Taylor said. “This is a pleasure. We’re doing our part.”

Albertha Dominique heard about the event last year and was thankful to attend, along with her daughter Janaejah McGinnis, 7.

“This is so nice. I really appreciate it,” Dominique said. “I got a nice jacket and a pajama set for my granddaughter.”

Oscar Oliney, 14, knows the importance of reaching beyond church walls to help others. He readily volunteered to help with the distribution of food boxes.

“Because I’m helping the church, I’m helping God out,” Oliney said. “I’m helping the people live a better life. Every time I come to this church, it changes my life.”

The Rev. Tanner is committed to helping make a difference in the community.

“I absolutely enjoy it, and (church) members love it too,” he said. “It is a wonderful thing to end the year with. The community is blessed. When they are blessed, we are blessed. That’s why we call it Community Baptist Church.”